New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-15
JACK.

Mr. Eben Plympton came forward last nish at the
Filth Avenue theatre producing Mrs. Becketts
comedy of Jack" and he wasj welcomed by num-
erous audience with cordial favor and honest admira
ton. With him associated in this performance
that sincere and Interesting actress Georgeana Drew
Mrs Barry ..orel, Virginia Buchanan, josie Hall,
Charles Kent hyron Calce, John lnce and other per-
formers and altogether they gave an efficient and
effective representation of the comedy. "Jack has
been seen before in this city, but, being given only at
a couple of morning performances II has remained,
until now, In comparative obscurty J.. Is not hKely
ever to become very conspicuous rs dramatic CON-
position because, although II contains few striking
Incidents IL Is very false in its portraiture OF human
nature and Its emphasis ia laid rather upon human-
tartan suggestion and the strenuous assertion OF tr1te
morality than upon the dramatic development OF ra-
tona and actual character and the dramatic illusra-
ton OF really truthful and coherent story OF human
lite.
The scene is laid in England the movement proceeds
through four acts, and duplicates dozen people
SIM city OF character kindness OF heart integrity OF
lite and gentleness Of manners asserted as excel
lent things. So they But with this assertion IL
coupled another to the effect that these excellent
things only to lie found in poor persons devoted to
the arts and never in rich persons who move IN owl
hzod society The entire picture Is distorted People
who lead Bohemian lite (and much stress Ia laid IN
this poce upon Bohemia " are no better and no
worse than other people; and many men and women
in the best society OF all countries possess noble tas
OF character and lead beautiful and benehcent lives
The English arstocrats who figure in this piece are 80
grossly vulgar, mercenary. deceittul, and worth
less, to become, Tor dramatic purpose. nadmis-
able, simply because monsters. certain duchess 10
made to write such letter to another lady could
be found nowhere else but in the visionary compost
ton OF an artificial playwright. The character OF
Noel Blake drawn rs the foil to the heavenly
virtues OF Jack Beamish played exceedingly well
by Mr. Plympton becomes 30 depraved and con-
temptible as TO leave ground tor his having been
originally loved and trusted. The PREMISES are all
wrong but, being admitted the situation at the
end of the third act with its reposterous incident OF
the killing of the dog becomes theatrically possible.
Mr.. Plympton has to present an ELUSIVE and some
what garrulous young artist. who sacrifices himself for
what no supposes 10 be the good of his friends and
Is the incarnation of all the virtues. Readers who
remember the episode OF George Warrington in
Pendcnnis," will understand, upon TINS hint,
sought to invest this piece. Mr. Pympton acts with
exhilarating vgor, passionate earnestness, and
manly spirit, and last night he most entirely deserved
the enthusiastic paudits which three or tour times
recalled him before the curtain. Although exuberant,
his performance is cedngly good. The play, how
ever ID OF dubious value.